# Licensing in Warrington

> Warrington has no selective or additional licensing scheme in force.

- Checked 26 Oct 2026 (researched_at 2026-10-26, verified_at 2026-10-26)
- Region: North West
- ONS code: E06000007
- Web page: https://lettance.com/councils/warrington
- API: https://lettance.com/api/v1/councils/warrington

## Licensing schemes

### Mandatory HMO licence: Mandatory HMO licensing (Warrington fees)

- Status: In force (`in_force`)
- Area: Whole borough of Warrington (national scheme).
- Fee: Published standard fee: £492.09. Fees (exc VAT): new licence £492.09; with Cheshire Landlord Accreditation Scheme membership (10% reduction) £442.87; charitable organisation (50% reduction) £246.04; licence variation £47.44. An application is not made until the fee is paid.
- Licence length: 5 years
- Who needs one: HMOs falling within the national mandatory licensing description (five or more occupiers forming two or more households sharing amenities).
- Exemptions: Temporary Exemption Notices of up to three months, renewable once.
- Apply: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-licence/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence/warrington/apply-1
- Confidence: High
- How we checked this: 'A licence will normally last for a maximum of five years.' Licences are not transferable on sale. The page still cites a civil penalty 'of up to £30,000' for not having a licence, although the council's May 2026 civil penalty policy uses the £40,000 maximum.
- Sources: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/information-about-hmos-and-hmo-licensing

## Article 4 for house shares

Warrington has an Article 4 direction on HMOs (shared houses). Turning a family home into a shared house may need planning permission.

- Area: Whole borough from 25 September 2026, through two C3 to C4 directions: (1) a non-immediate direction for the Central Six Wards (Orford, Poplars and Hulme, Fairfield and Howley, Latchford East, Latchford West, and Bewsey and Whitecross), confirmed on 13 May 2026 and in force from 25 September 2026; (2) an immediate direction for the rest of the borough ('land outside of the Central Six Wards'), in force 'immediately on the 25 September 2026', which 'shall remain in force until 25 March 2027 and shall then expire unless it has been confirmed'; representations were invited until 19 October 2026.
- Takes effect: 25 September 2026

Council source: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/article4-hmo

## Civil penalty policy

The council's policy sets how it decides the size of a fine. The version we found has been updated for the Renters' Rights Act.

'Housing Standards & Assistance Civil Penalty Policy under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation' (May 2026), applying to proceedings commenced on or after 1 May 2026, with £7,000 and £40,000 statutory maxima. Failure to obtain an HMO licence: £17,000 starting point (£13,600 to £20,400 with landlord-type adjustment). Linked from the council's information for landlords page alongside a 2026 Housing Standards Assistance Enforcement Policy.

Policy: https://www.warrington.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/Housing%20Standards%20-%20Assistance%20Civil%20Penalty%20Policy%20-%20May%202026.pdf

## Consultations

- [Immediate HMO Article 4 Direction for areas outside the Central Six Wards (representations before confirmation)](https://www.warrington.gov.uk/article4-hmo): Closed, awaiting decision. Closed 19 October 2026.

## Not yet confirmed

We could not settle these points when we researched Warrington on 26 October 2026. Check them with the council before you rely on them.

- No selective or additional licensing scheme was found. Checked: the private sector housing page (which describes 'limited licensing (HMOs)'), the information for landlords page, the HMO licensing page and the A-Z index (only HMO licensing listed). The council does not state the absence; committee papers were not searched.
- The immediate Article 4 direction covering the borough outside the Central Six Wards (in force 25 September 2026) expires on 25 March 2027 unless confirmed; its confirmation is pending.

## Landlord register

The national landlord register is separate from licensing. Warrington is in North West, where registration is planned from 15 May 2027 to 14 August 2027. The regulations are still in draft. Read about the register: https://lettance.com/register

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From Lettance: https://lettance.com/councils/warrington (catalogue edition 31 October 2026). This is information, not legal advice. Check the linked sources, and the council's own pages, before you act.